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Suzuki and Gadjovich named to Team Canada selection camp roster

Left to right, Sean Durzi, Nick Suzuki, and Jonah Gadjovich celebrate a goal. Suzuki and Gadjovich were named to Team Canada's final selection camp roster in advance of the World Junior Championships. FILE PHOTO

Like many Canadians, the Owen Sound Attack’s Jonah Gadjovich is used to gathering around the television over the holidays and watching the Canadian World Juniors.

This year, the Whitby native is one step closer to being on the team.

On Wednesday, Gadjovich and teammate Nick Suzuki were named to Team Canada’s under-20 final selection camp roster, which takes place in St. Catharines this year.

From the 32 players named to the selection camp roster, 22 will make the final team and play in Buffalo at the World Junior Championship.

“Eberle scoring, I still remember that,” said Gadjovich. “Every year I watch that tournament and you dream of playing there.”

Jordan Eberle’s game-tying goal with 5.4 seconds left against Team Russia catapulted the Canadians into the gold medal game in 2009 and has become part of the hockey fabric in this country much like Paul Henderson’s Summit Series spectacular in ’72.

Playing for the Canadian flag elevates the game for every one involved, fans, players, and coaches.

“It’s crazy. I want to get an opportunity to wear that jersey and represent my country, but I can’t think that far ahead, just play my role and show Hockey Canada what I’m capable of,” said Gadjovich.

Suzuki has worn the red-and-white of Team Canada before. The Attack’s leading scorer suited up for the gold-medal-winning under-17 team and played at the Hlinka tournament with the under-18 national team. Suzuki and Gadjovich were both invited to Hockey Canada’s summer evaluation camp in 2017. Suzuki is an example of Hockey Canada’s step-by-step developmental route - and it may help him in making the final squad.

“It’s been on my mind since the summer. I definitely want to make that team,” said Suzuki. “Hopefully I can crack a spot.”

Both players plan to lean on their versatility and ability to play up-and-down in the lineup as they reach this final step in the selection process.

“I think I can PK (penalty kill), or be on the powerplay, or maybe even be a lower-line guy and just build energy for the top line,” said Suzuki. “I think I could do any role for the team.”

“I was a forechecker, I was hard to play against, that’s something that I’ve tried to keep in my game,” said Gadjovich. “This year, I’ve found the back of the net a lot playing that skill game while playing hard, but yeah, no problem adjusting.”

Gadjovich is under no illusions about what he’ll need to show the evaluators at Hockey Canada if he is to make the final team.

“If they think I can help them win a gold medal then I’ll be there,” he said.

Selection camp begins Tuesday and runs through Dec. 15. The camp includes games against a team of U Sports All-Stars on Dec. 13 and 14 and an exhibition game against Denmark on Dec. 15 before the final roster is announced.

Canada opens the World Junior Tournament in Buffalo on Boxing Day against Finland.